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Karzai, Musharraf Pledge to Fight Terrorism
Tuesday, April 2, 2002
(11:33 AM ET) (16:33 GMT)
The Cable News Network

Karzai (L) and Musharraf hold a press conference in Kabul.
Image Credit: The Cable News Network.

"This visit today will I'm sure further promote the brotherly links between the two countries. This visit will also pave the way for the strengthening of economic activity in this region. It will show us to a better more prosperous region."
-- Hamid Karzai

KABUL, Afghanistan -- CNN
Frequently calling each other "brother," Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai have promised to wipe out terrorism and terrorist sanctuaries in their nations.

That pledge was made during a one-day visit by Musharraf to Afghanistan on Tuesday, the first by a Pakistani head of state since former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the early 1990s.

Saying he is in Afghanistan in a "spirit of brotherhood," Musharraf said, "We have also vowed that we will not allow each other's countries, ever, to be used against interests of ours."

The Pakistani leader added his government's sole goal in neighboring Afghanistan is to see that country return to normalcy and offered his nation's full support.

"I am extremely glad that I see Kabul in the hands of a leader and a government which is trying to improve conditions in Afghanistan, to bring normalcy back into Afghanistan," he said.

"Our plan is his plan," Musharraf said, referring to Karzai. "We will assist him all the way in whatever he wants to do here."

To assist Afghanistan as it begins to rebuild following half a decade of Taliban rule, Musharraf presented Karzai with a check for $10 million and challenged the rest of the world to ante up.

* Closed chapter
* Bin Laden
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Dan